Best Plastic Surgery & Anti-Aging Clinics in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul, Korea (2026 Guide)
Medical Content Reviewed by MTK Editorial Team | Updated: June 2026
Booking note: All clinics in this guide are bookable through MTK (Medical Travel Korea) — Korea's government-certified medical travel platform and official Google Reserve partner. Every booking includes professional medical interpretation specialized in complex clinical terminology. MTK continuously audits its clinic network for pricing parity between international and local patients, with no hidden surcharges.
Quick answer: This guide covers 9 verified clinics in the Apgujeong Station area of Gangnam — selected for distinct specializations, verified clinical credentials, and a documented commitment to international patient care. The selection spans full-service plastic surgery, liposuction and body contouring, hair transplantation, and facelift specialization. All are bookable through MTK with medically trained interpretation included.
🚇 Getting here:
Apgujeong Station (Line 3, Exit 3 or 4) — All clinics on Nonhyeon-ro and Sinsa-dong streets are within 5–10 minutes on foot. This is the right exit for the majority of clinics in this guide.
At a Glance
| # | Clinic | Category | Key Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JK Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | Korea's Only KAHF-Certified PS Clinic |
| 2 | Glovi Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | 2024 Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution (MoHW) |
| 3 | Grand Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | Samsung Medical Center PS Consultants on Team |
| 4 | Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | 24+ Yrs Accident-Free / SNU Faculty Team |
| 5 | Woomchan Clinic | Hair Transplant | Appointment Only — Director Performs Entire Procedure Personally |
| 6 | Light Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | First Female SNU PS Graduate — 20 Yrs Experience |
| 7 | Lydian Clinic | Liposuction Specialist | 21 Yrs History | 6.3M Completed Cases | Zero Accidents |
| 8 | Onyoo Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgery | PRS-Published Subspecialist Precision System |
| 9 | RNWOOD Plastic Surgery | Facelift Boutique | Mayo Clinic Guest Faculty (since 2023) |
Ghost Doctors and Safety: What to Ask Before Booking
Apgujeong concentrates some of the most credentialed plastic surgeons in Asia — and some of the reputation risks that come with any high-volume, competitive medical district. Three things are worth knowing before your consultation.
The ghost doctor issue. Korean medical authorities have prosecuted cases where the doctor who consulted a patient was not the doctor who performed the surgery. Clinics that guarantee the consulting surgeon performs the procedure are noted under their credentials below. MTK network clinics strictly operate under a verified Surgeon Accountability System to establish a transparent clinical record of your operating physician.
Board certification. Board-certified plastic surgeons have completed 4–5 years of specialized residency after medical school followed by national board examinations. All clinics in this guide employ board-certified specialists.
Revision cases. If you have had surgery elsewhere and want correction, ask directly whether the clinic has specific experience treating complications from prior surgery. Onyoo and Light Plastic Surgery both have revision-specific capabilities in this guide.
When you book through MTK, your medically trained interpreter—highly proficient in complex clinical terminology and surgical jargon—can raise these safety protocols directly with the medical director in Korean, ensuring no critical safety nuances are softened or lost in translation.
Clinic Profiles
1. JK Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic SurgeryKorea's Only KAHF-Certified PS Clinic
Founded in 1998, JK is the first and only plastic surgery clinic in Korea certified by KAHF (Korea Accreditation for Health care in the Field). The clinic operates U.S.-standard operating rooms, maintains a full anesthesiology team on-site, and runs an in-house certified stem cell laboratory. Six board-certified plastic surgeons — plus a dermatologist and anesthesiologist — handle all cases with no time limit on consultations. Recovery infrastructure includes hotel-style private suites with en-suite showers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and a high-pressure oxygen spa.
- Best for: Patients seeking accreditation-verified safety, comprehensive surgical and non-surgical services under one roof, and high-touch international patient care.
- Key procedures: Eye & nose surgery (incl. revision), facial contouring, breast surgery, body contouring, fat grafting, hair transplantation, anti-aging lifts, stem cell therapy
- Address: 835, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — JK Building
- Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–18:30 | Sat 09:30–16:00
2. Glovi Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic Surgery2024 Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution (MoHW)Certified Int'l Patient Institution since 2009
Glovi has operated an in-house stem cell research laboratory since its founding in 2007 — certified as a dedicated R&D department by Korea's Ministry of Science, making it the longest-running stem cell research program in any Korean plastic surgery clinic. In 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare designated Glovi as an Advanced Regenerative Medicine Implementing Institution, enabling stem cell, gene, and tissue-engineering therapies as part of its treatment menu. The clinic has maintained a zero major accident record since opening. Each subspecialty is led by a dedicated physician, and the 'responsible doctor' policy means the consulting surgeon performs the procedure — no ghost surgery.
- Best for: Patients combining aesthetic plastic surgery with regenerative medicine, stem cell anti-aging, or revision surgery.
- Key procedures: Rhinoplasty (3D Fitting), eyelid surgery, breast surgery, facial contouring, body contouring, stem cell therapy, fat grafting, V-line lifting, hair transplant
- Address: 843, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — EGI Building 5F–6F
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 (Thu until 20:00) | Sat 10:00–17:00
3. Grand Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic SurgerySamsung Medical Center Plastic Surgery Consultants on Team
Opened in 2004, Grand has a documented record of developing six techniques that were firsts within Korean plastic surgery: natural adhesion double eyelid surgery, lateral canthal fixation, Aqualight laser for facial facial contouring, 3D CT scanning in a plastic surgery setting, free-space breast augmentation, and 3D malar rotation. The surgical team includes consultants from Samsung Medical Center's Department of Plastic Surgery. The clinic runs a one-stop system from consultation to recovery across plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, dermatology, OB/GYN, anesthesiology, and internal medicine.
- Best for: Patients seeking a clinic with a documented innovation history, particularly for complex eye procedures, rhinoplasty, or facial contouring.
- Key procedures: SAMA face & neck lift, natural adhesion double eyelid (proprietary), 3D-CT rhinoplasty, facial contouring, teardrop breast augmentation, incisional facelift, endoscopic forehead lift
- Address: 841, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — JB Smile Building 6F
- Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–19:00 | Sat 09:30–17:00
4. Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic SurgerySurgeon Accountability SystemResident Anesthesiologist
Established in 2000, Apgujeong Seoul Plastic Surgery has maintained a 24+ year accident-free record. The two chief directors — LEE MIN KOO and CHOI JUNG HYEOK — are both adjunct professors at Seoul National University Hospital with PhDs from SNU, and have been recognized as top members of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons in multiple years. Five board-certified plastic surgeons plus a full-time resident anesthesiologist operate from a dedicated 7-story building. For international patients: airport pickup, hotel booking, and interpretation that extends into the operating room.
- Best for: Patients wanting SNU-credentialed directors, strong safety infrastructure, and full logistics support from airport to OR.
- Key procedures: SMAS facelift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, ptosis correction, canthoplasty, facial contouring, fat grafting, liposuction, breast surgery
- Address: 840, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Exit 4, 5-min walk)
- Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–18:30 | Sat 09:30–16:00
5. Woomchan Clinic — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Hair TransplantAppointment Only — Director Performs Entire Procedure Personally
Director HYUN SANG-YOON performs the entire hair transplant procedure personally — from initial consultation and hairline design through graft harvest, transplantation, and aftercare. No surgical steps are delegated to assistants. The clinic operates a private single-occupancy operating room specifically for hair transplant procedures. The approach prioritizes graft survival rate and density accuracy over transplanting maximum volume, and no-shave FUE is available for patients who cannot shave their head. Located at Apgujeong Station Exit 4.
- Best for: Patients seeking FUE hair transplantation with director-level personal oversight throughout, including large-scale transplants and no-shave options.
- Key procedures: FUE non-incisional hair transplant, no-shave transplant, hairline correction, large-scale transplants, natural hairline design
- Address: 841, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — JB Miso Building B1F
- Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–19:00 (Sat until 15:00)
6. Light Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic SurgeryFirst Female SNU Plastic Surgery Graduate — 20 Years Experience
Director KIM JI-YEON is the first female plastic surgeon to have received a plastic surgery specialist degree from Seoul National University — a credential that is both academically significant and practically relevant for international patients who prefer a female surgeon. With 20 years of experience, the clinic is particularly noted for rhinoplasty revision and breast surgery. Specifically flagged as recommended for Arab and Middle Eastern patients who require a female doctor.
- Best for: Patients who prefer a female surgeon, rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty revision, and Middle Eastern patients requiring a female doctor.
- Key procedures: Rhinoplasty (specialist, incl. revision), breast surgery, facelift, lifting, forehead augmentation
- Address: 843, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — EGI Building 3F
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 | Sat 10:00–16:00
7. Lydian Clinic — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Liposuction / Body Contouring Specialist21 Years Experience | 21 Branches | 6.3M Cases | Zero Accidents
Lydian has operated for 21 years, accumulated 6.3 million cases across 21 nationwide branches, and maintained a zero medical accident record throughout. Chief Director AN GYEONGCHEON has 20+ years of liposuction specialization. The clinic's signature technique is '5D Fat Sculpting' — a refined body contouring approach that works beyond standard fat removal toward artistic muscular definition. The stem cell facility is a separately certified department offering BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), SVF (from the patient's own fat), and HSCS (Hematopoietic Stem Cell IV) — placing it in the advanced regenerative medicine tier.
- Best for: Patients seeking high-volume liposuction, body sculpting, revision liposuction, or stem cell anti-aging therapy alongside body work.
- Key procedures: 5D fat sculpting, premium liposuction, face/thigh/arm/full-body liposuction, revision liposuction, fat grafting, abdominoplasty, gynecomastia, BMAC/SVF/HSCS stem cell therapy
- Address: 836, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — 2F & 4F
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00
8. Onyoo Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Plastic SurgerySurgeon Accountability SystemPRS-Published Surgeons
Onyoo operates with four board-certified plastic surgeons, each designated to a specific subspecialty — the doctor who consults you performs your surgery. The clinical philosophy is explicitly anti-overselling: the focus is on natural harmony and long-term satisfaction, not trend-driven or exaggerated results. The team maintains active academic credentials including publications in PRS (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal) and international lectures — verifiable credentials that are uncommon among general aesthetic clinics in Gangnam.
- Best for: Patients who want subspecialist precision without upselling pressure, and who value academic credibility as an indicator of surgical quality.
- Key procedures: Facial contouring, mid-face & brow lifts, forehead reduction, endoscopic facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, lip correction, buccal fat removal, liposuction, fat grafting, breast surgery
- Address: 828, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — 3F & 4F
- Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00
9. RNWOOD Plastic Surgery — Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong
Facelift Boutique — 1 Major Surgery Per DayMayo Clinic Guest Faculty (since 2023)ISAPS Educational Council MemberAesthetic Plastic Surgery SCI Journal Editorial Board
Director Minhee Ryu is an internationally active deep plane facelift specialist — Guest Faculty at Mayo Clinic since 2023, Faculty at MAFAC since 2016, SCI journal editorial board member, and has delivered live surgical demonstrations and cadaver dissection lectures in over 15 countries. His signature Deep Plane Facelift repositions the deeper muscular layer rather than just the skin surface, producing natural, long-lasting results with minimal visible scarring. The clinic is built around one structural commitment: strictly limiting to one major surgery per day. For international patients: luxury airport pickup, hotel partnerships, and personalized post-operative recovery care.
- Best for: Patients specifically seeking a premium facelift by an internationally credentialed surgeon, with full post-operative recovery support.
- Key procedures: Deep Plane Facelift (signature), blepharoplasty, facial rejuvenation
- Address: 17, Apgujeong-ro 28-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul — 3F
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 | Sat 10:00–13:00
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to stay in Seoul for post-operative recovery and suture removal?
For major surgical procedures (such as a deep plane facelift at RNWOOD, facial contouring at JK, or structural rhinoplasty revisions), you should plan a travel window of at least 7 to 10 days in Seoul. Most Apgujeong surgical practices conduct initial wound checks around day 3 to 5, with major skin suture removal taking place exactly on day 7. Flying before suture removal is highly discouraged, as airplane cabin pressure can severely exacerbate internal swelling and compromise delicate incision lines. For non-invasive treatments or hair transplants at Woomchan, a 2-to-3-day stay is generally sufficient.
How do I confirm that my surgeon will actually perform my operation?
Ask the clinic directly whether the doctor who consults you is the same doctor who will be in the OR. Clinics with a stated Surgeon Accountability System register the doctor's name formally with the procedure. When booking through MTK, your medically trained interpreter—highly proficient in complex clinical terminology and surgical jargon—can raise this question directly with the clinic's medical director in Korean to ensure full transparency.
Can I combine multiple procedures in one trip?
Same-clinic combinations are common and often planned together. Cross-clinic combinations are possible but need careful scheduling — each clinic needs to approve the combination for safety, and recovery overlaps need to be managed. MTK can coordinate multi-clinic trips. Whether combining is medically safe for your specific case is best assessed after an in-person consultation.
How far in advance should I book?
For specialist or boutique clinics — RNWOOD (1 major surgery/day), Onyoo, and Apgujeong Seoul — allow 4–8 weeks. For larger multi-surgeon practices like JK or Glovi, lead times are shorter. Woomchan operates appointment-only; contact 2–4 weeks ahead. Booking through MTK locks in your appointment, interpretation, and audited pricing simultaneously.
What should I bring or prepare before arriving for surgery?
For revision cases: clinic name, surgeon name, date, and materials used (implant type and size for rhinoplasty or breast). A current medication list including supplements is important — some affect bleeding and anesthesia. Most clinics require stopping certain medications before surgery; your MTK coordinator will relay the clinic's specific requirements when you confirm your booking.
Is a remote consultation possible before flying to Korea?
Many clinics offer remote consultations via messaging app or video call before arrival. For revision cases in particular, clinical photos can be reviewed in advance to assess suitability. The remote consultation does not replace the in-person assessment but allows you to make a more informed decision before booking your flight. MTK can coordinate remote consultations for any clinic in this guide.
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Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinic information is based on data verified through the MTK network. Pricing, availability, and accreditation status should be confirmed directly with each clinic through MTK before booking. Clinics are listed in no particular order of ranking.
